I think this one was around f/4. Bokeh seems pretty smooth out of this Hexanon 57/1.2.

Konica Autoreflex T, #2, test roll
Konica Hexanon 57mm f/1.2
Fujicolor C200, expired, frozen
Unicolor
Pakon F135

Tags:   Konica Autoreflex T camera test test roll first roll Konica Hexanon 57mm f/1.2 Fujicolor C200 expired film frozen film flower winter blossom 2025 January pink flower bokeh

© All Rights Reserved

No snow so far this winter, although La Niña apparently has now officially arrived, with colder temperatures forecasted this week, but still dry, which is still okay weather to go for a walk and take photos, and a punch of colour can still be found here and there.

This was a good chance to try out another Konica Autoreflex T, which is working wonderfully, including the meter. What I really wanted to try though, was the Hexanon 57mm f/1.2. Big lens, but very smooth to focus. My focus was off on this one though, which I predicted might be hard for me at f/1.2 and my jittery hands. I did manage a couple of "sharper" f/1.2 photos at the end of the roll.

Konica Autoreflex T, #2, test roll
Konica Hexanon 57mm f/1.2
Fujicolor C200, expired, frozen
Unicolor
Pakon F135

Tags:   Konica Autoreflex T Konica Hexanon 57mm f/1.2 Fujicolor C200 expired film frozen film camera test test roll first roll bokeh leaf red winter January 2025

© All Rights Reserved

Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 in the middle, their standard nifty-fifty, with faster 57mm f/1.4 on the right, and newly acquired 57mm f/1.2.

I think I got the deal of the year on this Konica Hexanon 57mm f/1.2, even though the year just started. I was browsing eBay and noticed a Konica Autoreflex T with a chunky lens on it; in the photo, the lens cap was on, but it looked like a big prime, so I clicked on the listing, even though I had no interest in the camera, since I have one Autoreflex T already (bought for the 1.4) and two T3's.

The other photos didn't show the lens too well, but I was able to see the aperture ring with the f/1.2 mark, so that really got my interest. The seller was asking for CDN $40 and open to offers, so I sent an offer of CDN $30, which got accepted automatically, so total checkout was CDN $56. I held some of my excitement back, because I still had to wait for it to be shipped and delivered.

Everything arrived quickly and exactly as pictured. The body actually works perfectly at all shutter speeds and meter works too. The lens is beautiful too, with some internal dust and a tiny bit of oil on one of the blades, but does not stick. The glass is very yellow, but I think this will add warmth to the photos. It's a radioactive lens, so I guess it's "glowing" naturally.

Tags:   Konica Hexanon 57mm f/1.2 Konica Hexanon 57mm f/1.4 Konica Hexanon AR 50mm f/1.7 Konica Autoreflex T fast prime vintage lenses vintage glass

© All Rights Reserved

My recently acquired Voigtlander Vitoret. These were made in West Germany between 1960-1971. It needed a bit of TLC when I got it, but it's ready to shoot. I have the DR version too, a true rangefinder with light meter and slightly higher shutter speeds, and with a Lanthar lens; however, I really like the simplicity of this one. I was also drawn by the Singapore Airlines sticker on the case. Maybe it belonged to someone from the cabin crew of one of their jets, and I like to imagine that this camera had some globe-trotting adventures.

Tags:   Voigtlander Vitoret vintage camera my cameras camera collection Vaskar 50mm f/2.8 Prontor 125 Singapore Airlines globe-trotter

© All Rights Reserved

I took a chance on this Voigtlander Vitoret, sold as is on eBay. Upon receiving it, the shutter and advance were stuck. Turns out those pieces highlighted in purple had come loose, so it was jamming the advance mechanism, so the shutter could not be armed. A little Google search and I found a reference photo from a similar camera, so I was able to figure out that the piece is like an anchor for screwing the top cover. Did a little cleaning too and the camera should be ok to shoot. It's a very basic camera, but much better than the basic re-loadable, plastic point and shoots they sell now.

Tags:   Voigtlander Vitoret my cameras camera collection camera repair

© All Rights Reserved